Jewelry display apparatus having magnetic retainers



y 27, 1965 H. R. SANDLER 3,197,166

JEWELRY DISPLAY APPARATUS HAVING MAGNETIC RETAINERS Filed April 27. 1964FIGURE 1 PRIOR Am" FIGURE 2 FIGURE 4 I FIGURE 4'A FIGURE 4'5 33 10 F 23'13 2' I,--" 6 22 23 14 \"Yl/v 26 f V //I A V 24 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6 FIGURE7 22' 3' \Vlj I XI FIGURE 7'A FIGURE 8 13 31 4o 39 HENRY R. SANDLER V32I 38 I INVENTOR I wig/ d FIGURE 9 FIGURE 10 ATTORNEY United StatesPatent par 3,197,166 JEWELRY DISILAY APPARATUS HAVING MAGNETICRETAD-IERS Henry R. Sandler, 202 Stewart Bldg, Houston, Tex. Filed Apr.27, 1964, Ser. No. 362,585 Claims. (Cl. 248-206) The present inventionrelates in general to a jewelry display apparatus and in particular toapparatus which displays rings or the like in a manner enabling ease ofattachment and detachment of the rings, the display of large portions oftheir surfaces, and flexibility of positioning.

Prior art devices for displaying rings may be broadly divided into threeclasses: (1) those having a series of slots into which the rings areinserted, (2) those which resemble a finger, usually covered with anattractive fabric, and (3) those which use a clamp to grasp a portion ofthe ring.

For years the most popular display devices have been those which use aseries of slots. Such a device is illustrated in FIGURE 1 where thenumeral 13 designates a plurality of rings disposed in a slot 12 formedin soft material 11. One of the more prominent disadvantages of thistype device is the inflexibility in the positioning of the rings. Allthe rings are placed in the slots in straight rows, a feature whichrestricts experimentation with imaginative or artistic mrangements ofthe rings wtih respect to each other. Furthermore, the slots 12 arefrequently very deep so that only the very top portions of the rings 13are displayed. This feature is detrimental, especially when rings withdecorative and beautiful sides are being displayed. Since rings aredesigned with the idea of creating an appeal to aesthetes, the buryingof a majority of surfaces of the rings is inconsistent with the basicpurpose. Moreover, when a ring is removed from the slot, a conspicuousand distracting gap is left in the display.

Those display devices which resemble a finger also have the disadvantageof inflexibility in the positioning of the rings. More specifically,rings are usually aligned in a row on one finger or else a number ofstubby fingers are arranged on a base and thus there is littleopportunity for imaginative experimentation with arrangements.

Those devices which use a movable clamp to grasp a portion of the ringare generally bulky in that if a single ring is to be displayed, a largebase is required to support it. When a large number of rings aredisplayed with such devices, the clamps are generally immovably securedto a base and thus, like the device of FIGURE 1, it is difficult tocreate imaginative or artistic arrangements of the rings with respect toeach other.

The object of this invention is to overcome many of the disadvantages ofprior art display devices. More specifically, it is an object of thisinvention to provide a device which displays almost the entirety ofrings or the like. Moreover, the device enables great flexibility in thepositioning of the rings with respect to each other on the surface of abase or support member. In addition,

it is an object of this invention to provide a display device whereinthe rings are easily attached to or detached from the support member.

Inaccordance with the foregoing objects the present invention may bebroadly described as an apparatus for supporting and displaying rings orthe like by the use of a magnetic base member upon which is positionedatleast one magnetic retainer member. The retainer member has a grooveor some other means for engaging the lower portions of a ring to supportit in an upright position. Surprisingly, a very small retainer having agroove on its lower surface to engage the ring has been found sutlicientto support a relatively large ring. This is the result of the fact thatmost rings are generally well balanced and if placed in a verticalposition, for example, the force of gravity has little initial tendencyto topple them. It is only after the ring begins to topple from thevertical position that the force of gravity begins to create largemoments which further topple the ring and eventually pull the magnetfrom the base member. Thus, if the ring is initially placed in avertical position, a very small magnet is suiiicient to retain it inthat position. For other positions, increases in the size or strength ofthe magnet are required to resist the increased forces. The shape andsize of the magnet depend also on the type ring or the like which is tobe displayed. A great variety of materials may be used, and neither theretainer nor the base member need be a permanent magnet but merely befabricated so as to include a magnetic material, as will be explainedlater.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawing. Specific terminologyis used in the detailed description for the sake of clarity, but itshould be understood that the invention is not limited to suchterminology or to the particular embodiments shown and described.Rather, the invention encompasses all equivalent devices which operatein a similar manner to accomplish a similar result.

Referring now to the drawing to describe the various views, it will beseen that FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a common slot type prior artdisplay device, which has already been described.

FIGURE 2 illustrates in perspective a number of rings secured to a basemember by magnetic retainers in accordance with the inventive concept.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing in better detail one ofthe rings, a retainer, and a fragment of the base member of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view as seen looking along the lines and arrows44 of FIGURE 3, and is included to show the constructional details of apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURES 4-A and 4B illustrate a few of the alternate forms that theretainer may take.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view similar to that seen rocking along thelines and arrows 44 of FIGURE 4 and shows more details of a preferredgroove configuration.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view as seen looking along the lines and arrows6- of FIGURE 2, showing a retainer having a geometry enabling moreconvenience in the attachment and detachment of a ring.

FIGURES 7 and 7-A are other sectional views showing a retainer formed oftwo hinged pieces having a groove and overlying lips for grasping a ringor the like.

FIGURE 8 illustrates in fragmentary section a retainer placed on afabric covered metallic base member.

FIGURE 9 is another fragmentary sectional view showing a retainer placedon a nonmetallic base member.

FIGURE 10 represents another form of retainer which has a retaininggroove or a resilient prong protruding from its side surface.

By referring to FIGURE 2 it will be noted that a plurality of rings 13are secured in a vertical position by retainers 16 to a base member 14,which is. supported by a leg 15. The retainers 16 are attracted to thebase 14 since magnetic (capable of being magnetized) and at least one ofthem is permanently magnetized or some other means is provided forsupplying a magnetic field. For example, the base 14 may be formed ofsteel, which is a magnetic material, ,and the retainers may be formed ofa permanently magnetized material such as a high carbon steel. Lookingat the enlarged perspective view of FIG- URE 3, it will be seen that thealternate type retainer 10 is quite small and covers only a smallportion of the lower part of ring 13. As was mentioned previously, thisis possible since the forces exerted on the retainer are surprisinglysmall, especially when the ring 13 is in a vertical position.. Thus,only a small amount of magnetic attraction between the retainer or 16and the base member 14 is required to keep the ring in the verticalposition shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Means are provided on the retainer 10 for engaging the ring 13, and inFIGURE 4 it may be seen that a groove 33 is formed in the lower surfaceof retainer 10 for this purpose. The groove must be configured so that apart of its surfaces engage the ring 13. As may be seen in the sectionalview of FIGURE 5, the groove 33 preferably has contoured surfaces 21 tobetter match the curvature of the ring and provide greater surfacecontact therewith. Actually, this has been found unnecessary in mostinstances but is nevertheless an easy way to add increased rigidity tothe device.

FIGURE 4-A shows an alternate retainer which is formed of two pieces 17and 17' joined near their upper and inner. surfaces 34 and 34 by abiasing means 18 (here a spring) which urges the pieces 17 and 17against the ring 13. This is a convenient way to fabricate a retainerthat can accommodate rings having a great variety of widths andthicknesses.

When a metallic retainer is used, it is often expedient to use anonmetallic coating inside the retainer to protect the ring. Thus, inFIGURE'4-B a nonmetallic center section 35 connects the metallicmembers19 and 19 and engages the ring 13 to protect its surfaces.

To facilitate easier handling'of the retainers, those having aconfiguration as shown in FIGURE 6 are provided. There, the retainer 16has beveled lower surfaces 26 on each end so that a downward force Fcauses the retainer to pivot to position 27 (shown in phantom). While inthis position, the ring 13 is easily inserted into groove 36 andsimilarly, iseasily removed therefrom. This is very convenient since theretainer 16 need not be pulled com- 7 pletely from the base member 14, afeature which simplifies handling of the retainers.

The retainer illustrated in FIGURE 7 has two pieces designated by thenumerals 22 and 23 which are pivotally connected by means of a hinge 24.When the ring 13 is to be inserted, it is forced against the lips 22'and 23' and pieces 22 and 23 pivot apart to permit the ring to pass asis shown in FIGURE 7 -A. When it is desired to remove the ring, pieces22 and 23 .are pivoted apart by an upward movement of the ring 13,separating the lips 22' and 23. As in the other embodiments, members 22,23 and 14 are fabricatedso that magnetism forces them together.Furthermore, pieces 22 and 23 are normally drawn toward each other bymagnetism, which in effect is a biasing means. 2

A wide variety of materials are used in making the retainers since thebasic requirement that they both be magnetic is easily met. As has beenmentioned previously, the retainers may be formed of a metallic andmagnetic material and the retainer 30 of FIGURE 8 is of this type. Also,the base member 28 is a magnetic material such as steel. Commonly, afabric 29 is used to cover the base member 28 to increase theattractiveness of the display.

Nonmetallic magnetic materials have recently become commerciallyavailable and such materials are illustrated in general in FIGURE 9. .Inthis embodiment the base member 32 is formed of a nonmetallic materialhaving magnetic particles dispersed therein and similarly, the retainer31 includes magnetic particles. Usually, particles of the retainer 31 orof the base member 32 are permanently magnetized so that the two areattracted to one another, but this is not essential since a magneticfield may be supplied by an outside source to magnetize both pieces whendesired. As in the other embodiments, the retainer 31 has a means forgrasping the ring 13 such as the groove 37.

' which extends over ring 13. The retainer 39 is formed of a resilientmaterial impregnated with magnetic particles and thus the prong 40 hasresilient flexibility so that it securely grasps the ring 13. Thisresult is effectuated by forming the prong so that in its initialrelaxed position 41 it extends toward the surface of base member 38.When using this embodiment, the ring 13 may be attached and detachedfrom the display without moving the retainer 39 from its normalposition.

In view of the broad and detailed descriptions of the invention, itsmany advantages are readily apparent. Particularly noteworthy, however,is the fact that by using the invention, almost the entirety of therings are displayed as was discussed and explained with reference toFIGURES 2 and 3. At the same time the invention gives the advantages ofgreat flexibility in the positioning of the rings on the base member.Artistic and imaginative arrangements of the rings may be made by movingthem to any desired position on the board 14 of FIGURE 2.

Also, the rings are easily attached and detached from the base membersince the retainers are quite easy to handle. Moreover, no distractinggaps need be left in the display base when some of the rings are removedsince the remaining movable retainers and rings may be rearranged toregain the lost symmetry. Furthermore, the retainers may be used withtrays to display a number of rings, in small boves for individual ringdisplay-or with a wide variety of containers too numerous to mention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for supporting and displaying a ring or the like in apredetermined position enabling ease of attachment and detachment of thering, the display of large portions of its surfaces, and flexibility inits positioning, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a base member having a composition which includes a magneticmaterial;

(b) a retainer member having a composition which also includes amagnetic material;

(c) means operatively associated with at least one of said members forsupplying a magnetic field to magnetize said members and thus attractthem to one another;

(d) said retainer member including means for engaging a lower portion ofthe ring to support said ring.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for supplying a magneticfield comprises:

(a) forming at least one of said members of a material which includes apermanently magnetized material.

3. An apparatus for displaying rings or the like, said apparatuscomprising:

(a) a magnetic base member;

(b) a permanently magnetized retainer member movably secured to the basemember by the resulting magnetic attraction between said members; and

(c) means on said retainer member for engaging and supporting a ring.

4. An apparatus for displaying rings or the like, said apparatuscomprising:

(a) a permanently magnetized base member;

(b) a magnetic retainer member removably secured to the base member'bythe resulting magnetic attraction between said members; and

(c) means. on said retainer member for engaging and a supporting a ring.

5.- An apparatus for displaying rings or the like, said apparatuscomprising:

(a) a magnetized base member;

(b) a magnetized retainer removably secured to the base member by theresulting magnetic attraction between said members; and

(c) means on said retainer for engaging and supporting a ring.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means on the retainer forengaging the lower portion of the ring further comprises:

a lower surface of the retainer having a grooved contour to engage thelower portion of the ring.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the retainer mem ber comprises:

two pieces secured to each other by biasing means which urge the piecestogether to forcibly engage the ring between surfaces on said piecesbeneath the biasing means and adjacent the base member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the retainer member comprises:

two magnetic pieces secured to each other by means of a strip ofnonmetallic material which has a groove in its lower surface to engagethe lower portion of the ring.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the retainer member comprises:

(a) two magnetic pieces pivotally connected to each other at their loweredges;

(b) biasing means for urging the free ends of said pieces toward eachother; and

(c) confronting grooves in each of said pieces for engaging andretaining the ring.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means on the retainer memberfor engaging the lower portion of the ring is a resilient prong whichextends from the retainer in a generally horizontal manner and which isforced upwardly when the ring is inserted thereunder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,496,542 6/24Jersemann 21134 2,212,326 8/40 Piken 4-149 2,527,482 10/50 Kinzler120l08 2,693,370 11/54 Wheatley 28144 2,959,832 11/60 Baermann 24-201CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,197,166 July 27, 1965 Henry R. Sandler It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and thatthe said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 64, after "since" insert both members are column 4, line31, for "boves" read boxes Signed and sealed this 8th day of February1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner ofPatents

1. AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AND DISPLAYING A RING OR THE LIKE IN APREDETERMINED POSITION ENABLING EASE OF ATTACHMENT AND DETACHMENT OF THERING, THE DISPLAY OF LARGE PORTIONS OF ITS SURFACES, AND FLEXIBILITY INITS POSITIONING, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: (A) A BASE MEMBER HAVINGCOMPOSITION WHICH INCLUDES A MAGNETIC MATERIAL; (B) A RETAINER MEMBERHAVING A COMPOSITION WHICH ALSO INCLUSES A MAGNETIC MATERIAL; (C) MEANSOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID MEMBERS FOR SUPPLYING AMAGNETIC FIELD TO MAGNETIZE SAID MEMBERS AND THUS ATTRACT THEM TO ONEANOTHER; (D) SAID RETAINER MEMBER INCLUDING MEANS FOR ENGAGING A LOWERPORTION OF THE RING TO SUPPORT SAID RING.